The main
function of the gears is to achieve more speed and power. The
strongest gear is first gear, then second, third and so on. Take-off is
usually in first gear, change to second, to third etc. until the vehicle reaches normal
cruising speed.
In a five-speed gearbox
a guideline to change gear is as follows:
Start
to 20 km/h in first gear >>> to
40 km/h in second gear
to 55
km/h in third gear >>> to
70 km/h in fourth gear.
Above
70 km/h - fifth gear
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When
driving uphill gear change at a higher speed, because the car loses speed
during the change process.
Downhill
it is the opposite - gear change can be done at a lower speed.
Gravity increases speed naturally; take-off may be done in second
gear.
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First
and second gears is best engaged by cradling the gear
lever in a back-hand fashion as shown! This way
the hand works naturally against the return spring. The gear lever
returns to neutral position by itself.
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The seven
steps for gear-changing up: |
| 1 |
Reach the
correct speed.
If you cannot hear the sound of the engine, read the
speedometer to change at the correct speed.
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| 2 |
Position
your left hand on the gearlever. For changing to first or second gear,
place your hand in a back-hand fashion, as shown. Don’t use fingers or
hold the knob tightly. A smoother change is achieved by feeling the
gearlever and guiding it with the palm of your hand. |
| 3 |
Push
down the clutch.
The faster the
better and all the way down.
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| 4 |
Right foot
off accelerator.
Fast, a split second after ‘clutch down’.
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| 5 |
Shift the
gear lever with a little pause in neutral, to achieve a smoother
change. |
| 6 |
Press
accelerator and bring up clutch. Apply sufficient power (the lower the
gear the more power) and a pause half-way up, as the clutch engages (most
importantly in lower gears, as these are very strong).
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| 7 |
Keep
accelerating. Repeat procedure in each gear until cruising speed has
been reached. |
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The
process for gear changing down is basically the same
as for changing up, except that the correct speed is reached
by braking, not accelerating.
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There's
only one difference: When driving at speed, there is no need to
change from 4th gear to 3rd to 2nd or 1st before turning a corner or
stopping. Simply brake to the appropriate speed, then select the correct gear. When
driving downhill, changing gears you may still need to brake, during
the process! The brake and clutch have no direct link. To
keep the vehicle under control both can be used at the same
time.
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Problems in gear
changing are mainly cause by one of
the following:
| 1 |
Trying to
change at the incorrect speed.
This happens often when changing
uphill. Because speed is being lost, learner drivers rush and select
wrong gear etc. |
| 2 |
Selecting
the wrong gear.
Fourth gear is very often engaged instead of
second, when not handled in a back-hand fashion.
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| 3 |
Dropping
the clutch on engagement.
Many learners don’t hold the clutch at
the halfway point on engagement. This results in a jolt, especially in
first and second gears. The root cause of this problem may stem from
not keeping the ankle firm on engaging the clutch and/or not bending
the knee to do so.
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| 4 |
Keeping
the accelerator down,
after the clutch has been pushed down. The
engine will rev unnecessarily.
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| 5 |
Lifting
the foot off the accelerator and then pressing down the clutch.
The engine is suddenly starved of petrol. |
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Lifting off the accelerator
when the vehicle is in motion (decelerating) must be done very slowly,
so
the engine responds gradually, not with a jolt. Decelerating is an important
aspect, done before braking, to reduce speed or come to a smooth
stop.
Gear
changing adds an exiting dimension to the joys of motoring!
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